Digital Edition

Special Sections

Amanda Mae Rodgers

July 11, 1933 - January 19, 2010

Surrounded by family and friends, Amanda Mae Biehle Rodgers, age 76 of Rockdale, went home to be with her Lord on the evening of January 19, 2010 following a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Survivors include daughters Joyce Hurt and husband Ray of Rockdale, Janet Staub of Rockdale and Debbie Bennett and husband Rusty of Rockdale. 5 grandchildren including Kim Suits and husband Joel, Billy Bennett and wife LouAnn, Donny Bennett, Crystal Taylor and Cody Hurt, all of Rockdale. In addition are 4 great grandchildren; Michaela Bennett, Kayrinn Taylor, Destinee Bennett, and Ellis Suits also all of Rockdale. Two sisters, Clara Kaiser of Lexington and Tennie Crim of Caldwell.

The fifth child born to Albert and Mae Biehle, Amanda entered this world on July 11, 1933 in Fedor, Texas. At the age of fifteen, Amanda met a long, tall soldier and the love of her life, named Bill W. Rodgers in Lexington. The two were united in marriage in 1950 and raised daughters together. Amanda and Bill celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary before Bill succumbed to his battle with cancer in 1975 at the age of 47.

Mandy, as she was known to many, was a successful beautician with her barber husband for many years in Dallas, Texas. Returning to Rockdale upon his illness, Bill and Amanda enjoyed a full life filled with beekeeping, flower gardening, and playing fierce hands of 42 and Rummy. In her later years, MawMaw, as her grandchildren so affectionately called her, loved playing bingo, and she was known far and wide as a wonderfully, skilled down-home cook. In fact, she might have been best known for her big ‘ole pot of potato cheese broccoli soup that could just about cure any illness that might befall one.

A devout Christian, Amanda was a member of Forest Grove Christian Church and she had a strong hand in leading many of her own family members into the flock as well. As anyone who knew her would agree, Amanda’s fierce and unconditional love for her family was the glue that bound them all so tightly together. She was a remarkable woman of courage, steel, spunk, and grace, all the while sharing boundless love and outward affection to her family and friends. One just never left MawMaw’s house without a hug and sugar before she sent you on your way—and you’d better not let that screen door slam behind you either!

Yes, God truly broke the mold when he made Amanda Mae Rodgers—there will never be another one like her. But we all know a part of her will forever live on in the hearts, minds and personalities of her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. The footprints she left on all our hearts will never be erased.